It was billed as “Breakfast with Jeff Pulver“. Jeff is considered a true VOIP pioneer and a very active enthusiast in social media or what he terms “Social Communications”…a term  more fitting to this movement since it focuses on the act of communicating rather than the medium through which we do it.  He hosts breakfasts around the world and, as it appears, he is using them to practice Personal Tagging.

Upon our entry we were all issued a Personal Social Networking Toolkit. Beyond a name tag, it provided us with the the tools to “tag ” those we spoke with at the event. This can probably be best describe by Jeff himself via this video. One which he encouraged all to view before attending.

This tagging clearly defined Thursday’s gathering as a networking event rather than a presentation. Jeff himself noted that he doesn’t usually speak at his breakfasts. In fact, his short address to the mostly standing group at Sandy’s Place in the Best Buy Hub was more of a bio, a “Here’s who I am.” introduction.

Though I would have like to have heard a bit more insight from Jeff on the topics of social communication and the future of TV, a topic explored on his blog recently, it was a good departure from what we have come to expect from SMBMSP. The use of stickers to “tag” those that you spoke with gave it a nice spin. Glancing at my person “tag cloud” at the end of the event revealed everything from the obvious (tall) to the more cerebral (over connected?).

Though it was a new twist on the Social Media breakfasts it was well received. It also was more fun than the usual card swap that takes place while networking. Thanks to Rick Mahn, Best Buy, and especially Jeff Pulver for bringing us together! The next SMBMSP is slated for December 19th with an agenda and location yet to be determined.

It should be noted note that Mr. Pulver genersously donated his remaining Personal Social Networking Toolkits (Bic pens, stickers, and Ziplock bags) to SMBMSP…The man is clearly a giver.

Update, 5:24 pm: Mike Keliher shot the following video of Jeff’s remarks this morning for those unable to attend… enjoy.

Jeff Pulver on passion and dumb luck from Mike on Vimeo.

Playing Tag at Social Media Breakfast is a post from: Minnov8 and published under a Creative Commons license.